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Region 1 - New EnglandState-FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG)Meeting ReportJune 1-2, 2015Pre-SFIREG Meeting:EPA Region 1 meeting held on May 6, 2015 at the EPA Laboratory in Chelmsford, MA.Region 1 States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.Participants: State Lead Agency Staff; Diane Jorsey (CT), Gary Fish (ME), Hotze Wijnja (MA), Taryn Lascola (MA), David Rousseau (NH), Howard Cook (RI), and Jeff Comstock (VT). EPA Regional Office Staff; Sharon Hayes, Rob Koethe, Andrea Szylvain and Kan Tham.Agenda Outline:Pollinator Protection TopicsState/Tribal ReportsEPA Regional Office UpdatesFIFRA Grant Inspection Time Allocation Survey Review & DiscussionPollinator Protection:Marrietta Eschevaria (EPA/OPP HQ) joined the meeting via conference call to discuss the status of the Federal Pollinator Protection Strategy and the EPA Acute Pollinator Risk Policy Paper. The EPA policy paper will be released for a public comment period after the federal strategy is published. EPA anticipates the acute risk policy paper will be subject to “robust” public comment.The EPA Acute Pollinator Risk Policy Paper anticipates a two tier approach to pollinator management. Tier 1 will utilize product label restrictions that apply when bees are present/placed (on property) for pollination services when/where pesticide applications will occur. Tier 2 will utilize State Pollinator Management Plans (and jurisdiction) for all other potential exposure scenarios involving adjacent land/hives, native pollinators and/or additional non-agricultural pesticide use patterns.Marrietta stressed EPA’s commitment to and the necessity for “Measures of Effectiveness” as a component of State Pollinator Management/Protection Plans. EPA is currently looking to existing state plans (the original 5-7) for available data elements. EPA anticipates that once the SFIREG/AAPCO State Plan Guidance is final the next area of focus will be to develop guidance specific to measures for evaluation and reporting of state plan effectiveness.Stakeholder Meeting Experiences: States conducted a roundtable discussion to share/describe various experiences and progress with pollinator plan stakeholder meetings that have been conducted thus far. Apiary Program Resources Survey: Regional EPA staff in process of compiling survey results about state apiary program staffing, inspection and hive registration capacity/authority, contact information for beekeeping associations, educators and inspectors and product registration lists for in-hive pest control compounds. Survey data results will be distributed to all states when completed/available.State/Tribal Reports:EPA Regional Office Updates:FIFRA Grant Inspection Time Allocation Survey:Topics/Issues for Referral or Reporting to SFIREG:Pollinator stakeholder meetings and drafting of state pollinator management/protection plans proceeding well and without the anticipated controversy – thus far.MA and ME have made the most progress with plan development/drafting.CT, NH, RI & VT still in stakeholder groups and meeting organization and recruitment phase.Staffing challenges vary significantly by state. Vacancy replacement rate is a major constraint. In addition to budget-based program limits, several significant SLA staff retirements have occurred in the region. All states are replacing at less than 1:1. Staff replacements are allocated at the Agency/Department level and not the program level. Therefore, State Pesticide Programs are not maintaining adequate staffing levels.Major discussion and comments about inspection time survey.Medical marijuana pest control technical assistance and product registration requests continue at slow pace. The number of pesticide program related TA requests from inspection, registry and dispensary agencies is on the increase. The jurisdictional structure for medical marijuana and/or hemp (statutory and regulatory authorities) varies significantly from state to state. Departments of Public Safety (Law Enforcement), Health, Liquor Control (Alcohol/Tobacco), Human Services and Agriculture are involved to various degrees. Regional Office Updates and OPP/OECA Grant Guidance discussion(s) generated a proposal that work plan optional activities (pick list items) create/provide the opportunity for regional specific topics and priorities. This model would facilitate state/state or state/regional office partnerships and project collaborations. The current pick list format contains only programs of national scope.8)Next Meeting: Scheduled for November 4, 2015 at EPA Region 1 Laboratory, Chelmsford, MA. ................
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